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    Zu Izakaya

    4.4 (157 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Zu Izakaya Takeout or Delivery

    Zu Izakaya Photos

    Business Info

    ZU IZAKAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Intimate
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Zu Izakaya

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    Veronica G.

    I came for a reservation on 3/21/26 at 4:30 pm. Although the servers are busy, they handle you with care and speedy service. I like that their tables are well spaced out and is a perfect setting to catch up with friends and not feel overwhelmed. Happy hour is a delight here! I love that there's so many different options to choose from so if you have a big party, there's anything from tempura, bowls, soup, and sushi available. Their portions are shareable sizes and I was with a party of 8. Ordered: BUTTER CORN - Tastes more corn-y than buttery with cheese that feels dried off. Not the most impressive corn cheese but it was still decent. SALMON CARPACCIO - Ponzu with a bite of fresh salmon, I will be ordering this again next time. SALMON ROLL - Delicious as expected :) Just a plain roll with raw salmon in it. My only note is that I tipped a larger amount unintentionally because my server didn't mention that my split receipt already had gratuity added due to our large party. Not a big deal, but would be nice to know before paying :)

    Raquel H.

    The service here is very slow, the staff was friendly but it was super slow. It took a while to get our appetizers and they came at the same time as the sushi. We didn't get any refills on our waters and our waitresses kept passing. Didn't ask if there was anything else we needed. The restaurant is not super big but they do have some tables to accommodate a larger party. The food was good. Definitely worth a try but expect to wait, one couple walked out because of how long someone was taking to come and take their order.

    Inside
    Hallie S.

    My boyfriend and I went here for sushi and had a 10/10 experience, per usual. This is our go to sushi spot - for great reason! They have multiple time slots for happy hour on Thursday, we just timed it wrong to not be within it this time but love the 8:30-close happy hour specials. Our server was really attentive and kind. We got our miso soup and sushi rolls really quick and had no problems with water being refilled. We also loved our Las Vegas roll (not pictured) as it was fried but not too much where it wasn't still fresh tasting. The staff here is always so great! I love this restaurant because there's two sides of it split up by the sushi bar and feels really cozy. I've usually seen families everytime we've gone so they have plenty of seating depending on your group size and vibe. This will continue to be our go to sushi date spot for sure.

    Hot PORK GYOZA POT
    Katie H.

    The service was excellent -- our waitress was friendly, attentive, and really great throughout the meal. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to expectations. My fiancé and I are big ramen fans, and we both felt the ramen tasted similar to instant ramen. The broth was bland, the noodles weren't great, and the pork in the ramen was a small piece that was unseasoned and overcooked. Even the egg in the ramen was way over cooked. The rice noodles in the gyoza hot pot also had a slimy texture. I usually order a spicy tuna roll as a safe option, but this one didn't taste fresh and was overly spicy to the point where it overpowered everything else. It was also a red flag seeing staff walk through the restaurant carrying a large plastic bag full of frozen food being brought to the kitchen. Overall, the service was wonderful, but the food quality didn't match what we were hoping for.

    Las Vegas roll California roll Spicy tuna Spicy salmon
    Kim H.

    Great spot in Tempe! They have happy hour every day from 4 to 7 and late night happy hour every day except Sunday. Lots of choices on the happy hour menu. I tried the tempura green tea. Cheesecake. It was good, but not amazing. Elisa was the bartender and she was great! The bar area is separate and they have an outside area too.

    Salmon Crudo
    Melody K.

    My friend and I have been coming here regularly for lunch since June 2024. Absolutely hands down one of our favorite everyday go-to Sushi restaurants. Service and Food have always been consistent. Fish is always fresh. The menu is extensive, something for everyone. My friend and I are really creatures of habit and order the same items when we dine there, though I've had their Spicy Kimchi Hot Pot minus the Spam... it was delicious. Atmosphere: nice, typical Japanese restaurant look. Service: excellent. Food: excellent.

    Elicia N.

    Truly amazing experience. The omakase was expensive but you will leave full and happy. The only thing stopping me from going more often is cost but otherwise great option!

    Had R.

    This has become a great sushi favourite spot for the selection, service and top notch consistency of high quality. Service has always been quick (not rushed) and servers have always answered questions and made options and choices easy to make. The menu is extensive, the prices not expensive. The biggest draw for Zu Iz, is their sushi customization menu. I don't eat fake crab which is in most rolls everywhere. For Zu Iz, no issue, they have a very affordable and creative upgrade substitution menu. So want a great spider Roll, but made with Snow crab and not fake crab, sure. Want a rainbow roll with something else like Tuna? Sure. But two big favourite highlights for me would be the Chefs Omakase Tuna Roll, each visit is a spectacular array of individual masterpieces. In the cooler weather, the best hot pots around and the biggest bowl serving. Check out my pics.

    Race was our server tonight--what a star of the place, Quick with a smile and effortless grace. From sashimi to spicy rolls stacked in a case, She guided us through it at just the right pace. Our waters stayed full, our plates cleared with ease, She nailed every detail and aimed just to please. Friendly and sharp with a welcoming face, Top-tier service delivered by Race. If sushi's your craving and you want first place, Make sure when you go that you ask for Race.

    MISO SOUP

    The best bento lunch special enough to take home for later so good. Price is great for all the food you get!! Service is great ambience is good. Lunch special ends at 3:00.

    Sides menu
    Christa R.

    One of the best things about this sushi restaurant is their side menu. For example, I am not a fan of crab mix with imitation crab but for $4, on the Side menu, Zu Izakaya will make the crab mix with snow crab...totally worth it to me. The prices are very low and the menu has a wide selection to choose from. They also offer both an early and late happy hour menu. The sushi did not disappoint. All very fresh and very good@

    BULGOGI GRILL
    Stacy S.

    So glad we finally tried this place. We went on a Monday and it was still very busy! We had excellent service, the food was delicious, the restaurant was clean, and the prices were very fair. We arrived a few minutes before happy hour was ending, and we didn't even realize it but our server told us and we were able to try several things off the happy hour menu! The spam musubi and squid salad were delicious. We also tried to vegetable tempura, which I loved, the bulgogi, and the baked scallop roll. It was all great. I like that they have an extensive menu or both sushi and non a sushi items, as my boyfriend loves sushi but it's not my favorite. We can both be very happy at Zu Izakaya!

    CHEF OMAKASE ROLL

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    Happy Hour is great. The service was fast and attentive. My son wanted sushi and this was 5 mins from the hotel.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Zu Izakaya

    Does the happy hour occur on weekends too?

    Yes, it is! Only exclude holidays!

    View All 3 Questions

    Zu Izakaya

    Zu Izakaya

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    10.6 mi
    $$

    Popped into this place for our last meal before leaving AZ and it did not disappoint! We were the…read morefirst people in. When we walked in it had a very fishy smell, so it kind of made us second guess our choice. But we went for it anyhow. The greeter/server was very pleasant and sat us. It was very clean inside with ample space between seat. We browsed through the menu and started with our usual edamame and pot stickers. The edamame was salted well throughout where a lot of places just put the salt on top only. We ordered a couple varieties of sake which were both good. Out of all of the things we ordered the karange skewer was just a little more oily than were use to, but still good. The spicy salmon roll had really great flavor and the lollipop roll was probably one of the better versions that we have had. The musubi was giant to say the least, it was good, but offered a bit too much rice. Overall the food and service was great and we were very happy that we ended up here!

    On a Sunday evening, after checking out the Desert Botanical Garden, I was looking for some food in…read morethe area. I came across Zu Izakaya and it's great reviews as one of the options. I love Japanese food so my decision was made. I drove over and parked in their complimentary lot. Ambiance (3.5/5): I've been to Japan and there are plenty of izakayas there. Think of them as small bars which often serve solid food. Zu fits that bit. It's a relatively small restaurant, probably seats about 30 people. and it's pretty no frills for a Japanese spot. I was seated at a booth in the corner of the restaurant. They have free WiFi which is always a good touch. Service (3/5): Service was friendly, though a bit inconsistent. My waitress wasn't as attentive as I would have liked. The type of service where you have to flag them down to get what you want and to close out. Drinks (4/5): Zu has a nice menu of Japanese and Korean beverages, including sake, soju, Japanese beer, and more. With that being said, I just had an iced green tea. Food (4/5): I got a nice variety. I went with the Japanese sausage off of the grill menu, the OBI mayo roll off of the sushi menu, and the cheese corn off of the appetizer menu. Let's start with the sausage. It's a small item, two small sausages, but absolutely delicious. The sausage was bursting with flavor and basted in a sweet sauce. Minus the portion size, perfection. The cheese corn also hit the spot, but the execution was off. The corn is served on a hot platter, and unfortunately some of the corn on the edges was badly burnt. The type of situation where they should start over. Which they didn't. Lastly, the OBI mayo roll is essentially a California roll with marinated warm shrimp on top in a mayo sauce. I didn't love the hot and cold combo (shrimp and sushi), but outside of the temperature, it was a delicious roll. All in all, a very food meal. My only gripe with Japanese food is that it can get expensive quick. Given that Zu is in Tempe, I was hoping that prices would be a little cheaper. With that being said, they do have a solid happy hour (and reverse happy hour) with both food and drink specials. Next time I stop by, I'd like to check out some of their Korean options. I focused on the Japanese stuff this time (which makes the majority of the menu). Next time around, the bulgogi is calling my name!

    Photos
    Zu Izakaya - Lots of inside seating options

    Lots of inside seating options

    Zu Izakaya - JJAMBBONG POT

    JJAMBBONG POT

    Zu Izakaya - NIGIRI OMAKASE

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    NIGIRI OMAKASE

    Full Moon Izakaya - Best Ramen in Phoenix 
Eats & Drinks

    Full Moon Izakaya

    4.4(135 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$

    Let's get the most important thing out of the way:…read more You need the crispy rice with spicy tuna. It's not a want. It's a need. I pop in here probably once a month. I'm assuming it's a family-owned joint because the one and only guy working front of house always takes care of me. He's awesome. The place is cute. It's tastefully decorated, and they have a very-on-brand, ginormous full moon light on the wall that's illuminated from behind. It's super cool. I've only ever seen a couple other diners in there with me at any time. The food comes out super fast, which is great, because I'm hungry as soon as i step in the place. The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the food is always good. If you're in the area, this place is a must-stop.

    We found this place by accident. My daughter and I arrived around 6pm on a Saturday. There were no…read morepeople there. Slowly others started to arrive about half hour later. I ordered hot sake and it did not disappoint. My daughter got a Ramune, miso soup, and shrimp tempura roll. No complaints! Miso soup was missing tofu that day. Apparently they were all out. Nevertheless the soup was very nice! I got two specialty rolls. The names escape me at the moment. The menu doesn't have a huge selection of rolls but I found what I like and both were VERY good! Good amount of fish vs rice. Everyone is very attentive. Service is very good. The ambiance is interesting :) nothing fancy but not too bland either. There are full moon/moon related decorations. The rolls are also named with the Moon theme in mind. Overall very nice and we will be back to try their ramen !

    Photos
    Full Moon Izakaya - Full Moon Izakaya 
Veggie Sushi Roll

    Full Moon Izakaya Veggie Sushi Roll

    Full Moon Izakaya - Eclipse roll

    Eclipse roll

    Full Moon Izakaya - Bar

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    Bar

    Kuka Sushi & Izakaya - Sashimi Deluxe

    Kuka Sushi & Izakaya

    4.2(437 reviews)
    13.3 mi
    $$

    I recently had dinner at Kuka Sushi & Izakaya and was immediately impressed by the modern, chic…read moreambience. The space feels stylish and contemporary, with a sleek atmosphere that makes it perfect for both a casual dinner and a special night out. The menu is truly avant-garde! Creative, innovative, and full of intriguing options. That said, I have to admit I felt a little overwhelmed at first and wasn't sure what to order because everything sounded so interesting. In the end, I chose the Omakase Dinner "Buzz," and I absolutely loved the concept. It includes miso soup, 9 pieces of nigiri, a mini poke, and a 5-piece roll -- such a fantastic idea if you're undecided and want to try a bit of everything! I think it's a splendid option, especially for first-timers or anyone who wants a complete tasting experience without having to choose individual items. If I could change one small thing, it would be the roll selection. I wish there were an option to choose from the specialty rolls instead of only the basic ones. That extra flexibility would make the experience even better. Overall, the quality of the food was very good, and the overall experience was enjoyable. It's definitely a place worth visiting, and I'll certainly be back to try the curry and ramen next time!

    Made a reservation for 7pm on a Friday night. The location is kind of hard to get to if you've…read morenever been before. Our uber dropped us off in the back of an apartment building and we walked a short distance to the restaurant. The restaurant is very loud, we were sat at a high top table and it was kind of awkward being elevated in the middle of the restaurant with lights beaming directly on you. Ordered a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. It was nice that it arrived in an ice bucket, but was disappointed by the stemless glasses. The service was extremely slow. Had to ask for soy sauce, wasabi and ginger. When someone that was not our server gave it to us, it was basically empty. The sushi was just alright. For the price I would've rather gone somewhere nicer. My roommate and friend did not like their rolls at all (avocado roll and spicy salmon) the spicy tuna was good, pretty hard to mess that up. I would not get the soft shell crab roll again, the roll was big and falling apart immediately. Nobody in our party of 7 finished the food they ordered. Overall not great service or sushi, I wouldn't come back here.

    Photos
    Kuka Sushi & Izakaya
    Kuka Sushi & Izakaya - Beef brisket nigiri

    Beef brisket nigiri

    Kuka Sushi & Izakaya - Miso pork belly

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    Miso pork belly

    Zu Izakaya - ASU - Inside atmosphere

    Zu Izakaya - ASU

    4.5(307 reviews)
    13.2 mi
    $$
    Happy hour specials
    Kitchen open late

    My first time at Zu Izakaya was a blast! I came in with a group of 5 and were seated quickly. Our…read morewaitress Tiana was very attentive and helpful as we decided our orders. Overall, the place has a fun vibe with lots of string lights and Japanese decorations. They have happy hour twice a day. We came during their 9-11PM happy hour (we love a late night happy hour!) Lots of options for sushi, drinks, and appetizers on the happy hour menu. The spicy tuna roll was a refreshing roll with just the spicy tuna, cucumber and rice. A simple roll that still has a good spicy flavor but not too overpowering that it takes over your meal. The Vegas roll is a classic if you like fried rolls! Can't go wrong with this one. The nigiri was top notch. The yellowtail nigiri quite literally melts in your mouth and the flavors are buttery and soft. It's my personal favorite whenever I want nigiri. The salmon nigiri was also very good. Slights sweet but if you add soy sauce it balances it out. The jjambong pot was so filling. We ate this after the sushi. It's enough to be shared with 2-3 people and includes a mix of some seafoods, enoki mushrooms, onions, and ramyeon with a spicy broth. The noodles were good, the broth was delicious and not too spicy if you're not a person that handles spice well. My only complaint is that we had about 6-7 mussels but only 2 pieces of shrimp. It would've been nice to have a more even distribution of the seafood but other than that the taste was amazing. With the happy hour it was incredibly affordable. Even without the happy hour I would definitely come here again. 10/10!!

    I absolutely love this place! The details, especially down to the gold chopsticks is amazing. It's…read morea fantastic date spot!

    Photos
    Zu Izakaya - ASU
    Zu Izakaya - ASU - Hotpot, Assorted Tempura, Galbi, Oysters, Chicken Skewers

    Hotpot, Assorted Tempura, Galbi, Oysters, Chicken Skewers

    Zu Izakaya - ASU

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    Roka Akor - Scottsdale

    Roka Akor - Scottsdale

    4.2(1.4k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$$$

    It's rare to find a restaurant that delivers a unique and exquisite dining experience like Roka…read moreAkur. We love this place and we have made it one of our top choices for celebrating special occasions and special date nights. We love the creative menu, warm ambience, and impeccable service. The food is freshly prepared and the menu offers so many choices that suit every pallet. Creative Japanese authentic flavors and an impressive wine and Japanese whisky selection. Our waiter, Nathan, was fantastic. Very knowledgeable, offered great suggestions and made excellent recommendations. Above all, he and the team were very attentive without being overbearing . Plates were cleared as soon as we were done, water glasses filled. The ambiance is warm and inviting and good for date night and large group gatherings. Even though they had a packed house on Saturday, the noise level was moderate.

    This review is for the online ordering system, which is simply terrible. For me it went through…read moreUber Eats, even though I was picking it up. I was immediately charged but given no order number or confirmation. As this was highly unusual I called the restaurant -- no record of my order. I was assured by all involved that it was cancelled. Meanwhile an hour later I am texted that my order was completed. It has taken me many hours of texts and chats with uber/amex to get refunded on this ghost order, so... Just call it in, or better yet, eat there. The food and service are lovely, ordering online IS NOT.

    Photos
    Roka Akor - Scottsdale
    Roka Akor - Scottsdale
    Roka Akor - Scottsdale

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    Harumi Sushi Bar - Downtown - Hot Havana Roll (~$17)

    Harumi Sushi Bar - Downtown

    4.6(3.2k reviews)
    11.8 mi
    $$$

    My partner and I originally chose this place because we heard they light one of the sushi rolls on…read morefire, which immediately sounded like something fun we had to try. Funny enough, this actually wasn't even the exact restaurant my partner had been thinking of when he brought it up, but honestly I'm so glad we ended up here anyway because the food was REALLY good. We ordered the flaming ohmygod sushi roll, and man... it was amazing. Not only was the presentation fun, but the sushi itself actually tasted incredible too, which sometimes isn't the case with more "gimmicky" menu items. It was so good that I literally ordered another roll to-go and took it on the plane back home with me because I already knew I'd be craving it later. That alone should say enough about how much I liked it. I also tried the matcha martini, and it was honestly one of the best cocktails I've had in a while. It had the perfect balance of matcha flavor and alcohol where neither one overpowered the other. Sometimes matcha drinks either taste way too earthy or completely lose the matcha flavor under the alcohol, but this one was super smooth, flavorful, and really well done. The restaurant itself also has a really nice atmosphere. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and the indoor area definitely has a more upscale vibe than your usual sushi spot and that makes the experience feel a little more elevated and perfect for a date night. On top of all that, the servers were super friendly and provided genuinely great service throughout the meal. Everyone was attentive, welcoming, and made the experience feel really comfortable and enjoyable. Overall, this place completely exceeded my expectations. Great sushi, fun presentation, amazing drinks, friendly service, and a really nice atmosphere. I'd absolutely come back again.

    First time here and I was not disappointed. All of the staff were friendly and helped each other…read morerun food and refill waters, which isn't something you see much of these days. We were there at around 5pm and it wasn't too busy, but there was a steady flow of diners coming in and out. Seating is ample, with outdoor, bar, sushi bar, and regular table options. I ordered two rolls: hot havana and mango roll. Both were delicious and the mango was juicy! The purple rice was super fun and set them apart from other sushi spots. I also ordered the miso soup to start. The food came out quickly. My only "complaint" is there aren't a ton of classic roll options. But this is a more upscale sushi restaurant, so it isn't surprising. I will keep this place in my list of spots to hit when I'm looking for a bite to eat in DTPHX.

    Photos
    Harumi Sushi Bar - Downtown - Bar/waiting area

    Bar/waiting area

    Harumi Sushi Bar - Downtown - Mt. Fuji Roll (~$17)

    Mt. Fuji Roll (~$17)

    Harumi Sushi Bar - Downtown - Bite View

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    Bite View

    Zu Izakaya - sushi - Updated May 2026

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